Consumer Affairs Unit Ministry of Industry Commerce and

Consumer Affairs Unit Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection Presentation on Consumer Protection (Safety Requirements) 2017 Presented by Mr A D Seetohul, Ag Head CAU 19 th July 2017

Consumer Affairs Unit Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection Agenda o Consumer Protection Act(Safety Requirements) 2017 o Regulations made by the Minister under section 4 of the Consumer Protection Act o Goods and Applicable Safety Standards o PART  I  –  DOMESTIC OR  HOUSEHOLD  APPLIANCES AND  SIMILAR  ELECTRICAL  APPLIANCES o PART  II  –  ELECTRICAL  ACCESSORIES o Procedure A o Procedure B o Flowchart o Thanking you for your attention

Consumer Affairs Unit Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection Act (Safety Requirements) 2017

Consumer Affairs Unit Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection Regulations made by the Minister under section 4 of the Consumer Protection Act 3. These regulations shall not apply to: (a) household and personal effects of a passenger; (b) goods entering the freeport zone; and (c) goods shipped on or before 30 September 2017. 4. Every goods shall satisfy the corresponding safety standards specified in the third column of the Schedule. 5. (1) Subject to paragraph (2), no person shall import goods unless they are covered by a certificate of conformity duly certified by MSB. (2) (a) Where the goods are, at the time of importation, not covered by a certificate of conformity, a test report shall be obtained from MSB prior to the release of the goods. (b) The importer shall, for the obtention of a test report, pay such nonrefundable fee as MSB may determine.

(3). Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), the Permanent Secretary may authorise an importer to clear the goods from Customs if the whole consignment is kept sealed under the custody of the enforcement authority until Consumer Affairs Unit MSB issues a letter of recommendation to the importer in respect of those Ministry of Industry, goods. Commerce and Consumer Protection (4) (a) Where the goods do not comply with safety standards, the enforcement authority may, after consultation with the importer, cause the goods to be exported, destroyed or disposed of in such manner as to render them commercially valueless. (b)The goods referred to in subparagraph (a) shall be exported back to the country from which they were imported, or destroyed or disposed of, at the expense of the importer, under the supervision of the enforcement authority. 6. Where the enforcement authority has reasonable grounds to believe that the goods do not comply with safety standards, or are not safe for use or consumption, or may cause risks to health and safety, it may, at the expense of the importer, cause the goods to be tested by MSB.

7. (1) Where a supplier becomes aware that the goods do not comply with safety standards, or are not safe for use or consumption, or may cause risks to health and safety, the supplier shall – Consumer Affairs Unit (a) notify the enforcement authority thereof; and Ministry of Industry, (b) forthwith take all the necessary steps to eliminate every risks, Commerce and Consumer Protection including the recalling of the goods, where appropriate. (2) The notification under paragraph (1)(a) shall provide – (a) adequate information to allow the enforcement authority to identify the goods or batch of goods; (b) a full description of the risks that the goods presents; (c) all available information relevant for identification and traceability of the goods; and (d) a description of actions to eliminate risks to the consumer. (3) A supplier shall provide such assistance as may be necessary to the enforcement authority in any action taken to avoid the risks to health and safety that may be caused.

8. Any person who contravenes these regulations shall commit an offence and shall, on conviction – Consumer Affairs Unit (a) in the case of a first offence, be liable to a fine of not less than 500 Ministry of Industry, rupees and not exceeding 5, 000 rupees; and Commerce and Consumer Protection (b) in the case of a second or subsequent offence, be liable to a fine of not less than 1, 000 rupees and not exceeding 10, 000 rupees and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months. 9. These regulations shall come into operation on 1 October 2017. Made by the Minister on 3 January 2017.

Consumer Affairs Unit Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection Goods and Applicable Safety Standards

PART  I  –  DOMESTIC OR  HOUSEHOLD  APPLIANCES AND  SIMILAR  ELECTRICAL  APPLIANCES Consumer Affairs Unit Ministry of Industry, • Commerce and • Consumer Protection • • • Hair dryers Table fan, pedestal fan, wall fan, ceiling fan Ovens (fixed) Microwave oven Coffee or tea maker Toaster Vacuum cleaner Dish washing machine Clothes washing machine Spin extractor (centrifugal clothes dryer) Electric shavers, hair clippers Electrically heated blankets Whirlpool baths Television

PART  II  –  ELECTRICAL  ACCESSORIES Consumer Affairs Unit Ministry of Industry, • • Commerce and Consumer Protection Table lamp and floor standing lamp Lighting chains using incandescent lamps for use in Christmas tree or other decorative use • Electronic ballast for fluorescent lamp • Isolating transformer for downlight fitting • Lamp holders

Consumer Affairs Unit Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection Procedure

Procedure A Consumer Affairs Unit Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection Certificate of Conformity(Co. C) Available 1. Importer submits Co. C directly to the MSB for verification. 2. If Co. C is in order, the MSB issues a verification Certificate to the importer after payment of a fee. 3. Importer submits the Certificate to Customs and goods are released.

Procedure B Consumer Affairs Unit Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection Certificate of Conformity(Co. C) Not Available 1. The goods may be transferred to the importer’s premises/warehouse, under seal, upon request in writing from the importer. (copy of Invoice and B/L to be attached with request) 2. CAU collects sample and submits same to MSB for testing purposes. 3. MSB tests the sample and submits a report to the importer after payment of the corresponding fees. 4. In case of a favourable test report, goods are released either by Customs or the CAU, as the case may be. 5. In case of an unfavourable test report, MSB issues the test report to the CAU and necessary action is initiated for the disposal thereof.

Consumer Affairs Unit Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection Flowchart

Importers Consumer Affairs Unit Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection Certificate Of Conformity No CAU Yes Fail Tests MSB CAU Pass Tests Verification OK Importers CUSTOMS Goods Released Export, Destroy Or Disposed

End of Presentation Consumer Affairs Unit Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection Thanking you for your attention Contacts Mr. A. Seetohul (Ag. Head, CAU) Tel: 2068070 Web: http: //consumer. govmu. org